Giada De Laurentiis Gives This Traditional Italian Dish a Spring Makeover & It Only Takes 20 Minutes to Make

Many Italian recipes are heavy — and more suited to the cooler fall and winter evenings. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite pasta dishes entirely! Giada De Laurentiis just updated a traditional Italian dish for the spring, and we’re adding it to our weekly menu ASAP.

In a new post on Instagram over the weekend, the Giadzy founder celebrated National Carbonara Day with a vegetarian version of carbonara. “This vegetarian version of the original still has a depth of flavor thanks to the browning of the zucchini before adding it to the pasta,” she wrote in the caption. “Of course, it has all the rich, creamy goodness you look for in a carbonara.”

The Spring Garden Zucchini Carbonara utilizes herbs and veggies found in your garden right now, like zucchinis and basil leaves, giving it a fresh taste. It also calls for two different types of cheeses, eggs, and long pasta, such as bucatini.

To make, start by whisking together eggs and other ingredients in a bowl, which you will then set aside. Cut the zucchini while you boil the water, being sure to remove the seeds. You will be cooking this in a Dutch oven over medium high heat until golden. Boil the pasta in the pot, then combine some of the pasta water and hot zucchini with the egg mixture that you previously put together. The pasta will be combined when it is al dente.

The full recipe only takes about 20 minutes, making it a perfect addition to your weeknight rotation.

People were excited about the recipe in the comments section. “Must try this vegetarian version 🙌🙌🙌” one person wrote.  Someone else said, “Love 😍.”

Someone even suggested an edit to this dish: “I’d add more veggies and use spaghetti. Not enough sauce to fill bucatini!” That sounds good, too!

This dinner looks creamy, delicious, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect way to indulge your love of Italian food this spring.

Get the full Spring Garden Zucchini Carbonara recipe online HERE.

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